Maria Sharapova, who lost to Ashleigh Barty in the fourth round at the Australian Open, says she has returned to the practice court but the French Open has come too soon.
Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the French Open because of a shoulder problem. The two-times Roland Garros champion has not played since January and had surgery on her injury the following month.

The 32-year-old announced on Instagram she would not be participating in the tournament, which begins on 26 May.

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“Withdrawing from the French Open today. Sometimes the right decisions aren’t always the easiest ones,” she posted. “In better news, I have returned to the practice court, and slowly building the strength back in my shoulder. I really miss you Paris, until next year.”

Sharapova, a five-times grand slam winner, reached the quarter-finals last year. She who won the tournament in 2012 and 2014. The Russian lost to Ashleigh Barty in the fourth round of the Australian Open in January and is 35th in the world rankings.